The Position
The Technical Specialist (Demographic Dividend) is based in the Population and Development Branch and reports to the Programme Adviser, Demographic Resilience. The role provides technical expertise and analytical support on population dynamics and harnessing the demographic dividend, with a focus on countries at early and intermediate stages of the demographic transition.
The incumbent contributes to the delivery of the fourth outcome on ‘adapting to demographic change while upholding individual rights and choices’ in UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan for 2026-2029.
How you can make a difference
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose
The Technical Specialist supports UNFPA’s work on demographic analysis, policy application, and programme support with a focus on countries at early and intermediate stages of the demographic transition, ensuring that population data and evidence are effectively translated into policy, planning, programmes and development outcomes.
You would be responsible for
1. Technical Leadership and Analytical Support
- Provide technical expertise on population dynamics and harnessing the demographic dividend, with a particular focus on countries at early and intermediate stages of the demographic transition.
- Lead and contribute to advanced demographic and economic analyses, including population projections, National Transfer Accounts (NTAs), and Population Situation Analyses.
- Support the development and application of Demographic Resilience Reviews, demographic foresight, and scenario modelling, linking demographic change with megatrends such as climate and technological transformation.
- Contribute to strengthening the use of foundational population data systems (censuses, CRVS, surveys) and their integration with geospatial and other data sources to inform policy and planning.
- Support the development and application of tools that enhance population intelligence for decision-making, including vulnerability mapping and subnational analysis.
- Prepare and contribute to high-quality analytical outputs, including technical reports, policy briefs, and programme inputs.
2. Capacity Development
- Provide technical support to strengthen national capacities to generate, analyze, and apply demographic data in development planning, fiscal policy, and sectoral strategies.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of capacity-building initiatives, including training on demographic analysis, projections, NTAs, and census and CRVS applications.
- Contribute to initiatives aimed at building the next generation of demographers and population scientists, including through partnerships with academic institutions and south–south and triangular cooperation.
- Facilitate peer learning and knowledge exchange and support institutional strengthening of national population bodies and academic centres.
3. Evidence, Knowledge, and Foresight
- Contribute to the generation and synthesis of evidence on population trends and their implications for economic growth, human capital, fiscal sustainability, and social cohesion.
- Support UNFPA’s work on demographic foresight, including preparation of analytical inputs to inform future scenarios and policy discussions.
- Monitor and assess emerging research, innovations, and global trends, and support their integration into UNFPA’s programme and policy work.
- Identify gaps in population data, analysis, and knowledge systems, and contribute to strengthening the evidence base for rights-based population policy and programming.
- Contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge products and analytical outputs aligned with outcome 4 on the Strategic Plan (2026-2029).
4. Strategic Partnerships and Representation
- Support the development and maintenance of partnerships with governments, UN agencies, international financial institutions, academia, and research organizations in support of the UNFPAs population and development portfolio.
- Contribute to collaboration with leading demographic institutions, including through south–south and triangular cooperation initiatives.
- Participate in global, regional, and intergovernmental fora, providing technical inputs and representing UNFPA in areas of expertise, as required.
- Support coordination across the UN system, including engagement with inter-agency mechanisms on demographic change, to promote coherent and aligned approaches.
- Assist in facilitating partnerships that enable the integration of demographic analysis into sectoral areas (e.g., health, education, labour, climate, urbanization).
5. Resource Mobilization
- Contribute to the development and implementation of resource mobilization efforts aligned with UNFPA’s population and development mandate.
- In collaboration with relevant teams within UNFPA, prepare technical inputs to concept notes, proposals, and investment cases, positioning population dynamics as critical to growth and development.
- Support engagement with donors, development banks, and partners, including through provision of analytical inputs and supporting documentation.
- Contribute to joint resource mobilization initiatives with partners, including academic and research institutions.
- Assist in documenting results and evidence to support resource mobilization and reporting, including contributions to funding mechanisms.
6. Policy Influence and Advocacy
- Contribute to translating demographic evidence into clear, actionable and rights-based policy messages and recommendations for governments and partners.
- Support the integration of demographic analysis into national policies, development strategies, and UN programming frameworks.
- Participate in policy dialogues, technical consultations, and advocacy efforts on population and development issues.
- Contribute to promoting a balanced, evidence-informed and rights-based narrative on demographic change. Support the development of communication and advocacy products, ensuring accessibility of technical content for policy audiences.
- Assist in preparing briefing notes, talking points, and background materials for high-level engagements.
7. Other Duties
Perform additional tasks as required by the Branch Chief or Division Director.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Advanced university degree (preferably PhD) in demography, economics, population studies, statistics, public health, or related field, with specialization in population and development.
Knowledge and Experience
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in population and development analysis, research, and policy engagement.
- Demonstrated expertise in demographic analysis and its application to rights-based policy and planning.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
- Fertility and mortality
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Migration and urbanization
- Population and climate change
- Humanitarian contexts
- Strong understanding of human rights-based approaches to population and development.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality analytical and policy outputs to meet the needs of different audiences.
- Experience in resource mobilization and donor engagement is an asset.
- Experience in working in low and middle income countries is highly desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, Spanish or another UN official language is desirable.
Required Competencies
Values
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
Core Competencies
- Being accountable
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
- Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
- Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Job knowledge / technical expertise
- Adaptation and application of knowledge / innovations in different contexts
- Integration in a multidisciplinary environment
Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more: https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion
Disclaimer
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
